Bodysuit with releasably detachable gusset

ABSTRACT

A bodysuit includes a torso piece configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a user, and a gusset piece removably attachable to the torso portion and configured to cover a crotch area of the user such that the gusset piece is removable from the torso piece.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICTIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/244,033, filed Sep. 14, 2021, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The present disclosure relates to a bodysuit including a gusset or underwear.

BACKGROUND

Bodysuits are generally form-fitting garments that cover at least the torso and crotch of the wearer. Bodysuits are popular items of clothing because of the various types of bodysuits as well as the ability to provide sharp lines, to remain tucked in, and to create a slimming silhouette or compression feel. Such benefits result as bodysuits include a portion that covers the crotch of the wearer.

With a portion that covers the crotch of the wearer, the bodysuit may be washed more frequently than, for example, upper body garments, for hygienic reasons. Bodysuits may be more prone to wearing out because of the fact they are subjected to more frequent washing.

The fact that the bodysuit covers the torso and the crotch may make restroom use, for example, more time consuming, or a more cumbersome process, or both. Typically bodysuits include snaps in the crotch portion to facilitate getting into and out of the bodysuit and to facilitate restroom use. Such snaps, however, may result in discomfort for the wearer.

In addition, the torso and crotch coverage may make a proper fit difficult to achieve because of various different torso lengths, and may result in discomfort and even riding up of the garment.

Improvements in bodysuits are desirable.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of an embodiment, a bodysuit is provided. The bodysuit includes a torso piece configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a user, and a gusset piece removably attachable to the torso portion and configured to cover a crotch area of the user such that the gusset piece is removable from the torso piece.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a back view of the bodysuit of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a front view of another example of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of another embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the bodysuit of FIG. 3 ;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a portion of another example of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a back view of the portion of the bodysuit of FIG. 5 ;

FIG. 7 is a front view of a portion of yet another example of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a back view of the portion of the bodysuit of FIG. 7 ;

FIG. 9 is a back view of another example of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a back view of still another example of a portion of a bodysuit in accordance with an aspect of an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. Numerous details are set forth to provide an understanding of the examples described herein. The examples may be practiced without these details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components are not described in detail to avoid obscuring the examples described. The description is not to be considered as limited to the scope of the examples described herein.

Reference to orientation including, up, down, upper, lower, etc. are made in reference to a typical orientation of the bodysuit when worn by a user in an upright position. The orientation and directional references herein are not otherwise limiting.

Reference is first made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 , which show an example of a bodysuit indicated generally by the numeral 100. The bodysuit 100 includes a torso piece 102 configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a user, and a gusset piece 104 removably attachable to the torso piece 102 and configured to cover a crotch area of the user such that the gusset piece 104 is removable from the torso piece 102.

The torso piece 102 in the present example is of a tank-top style bodysuit including straps 106 that are configured to extend over the shoulders of the user. The torso piece 102 also includes a rounded neckline 108 that is rounded at both the front 110 and the back 112 of the torso piece 102. The front 110 of the torso piece 102 in the present example is configured to cover a majority of the front of a user. Similarly, the back 112 of the torso piece 102 in the present example is configured to cover a majority of a back of the user.

A bottom of the torso piece 102 defines an upper portion of leg apertures. Referring to the front 110 of the torso piece 102, the upper portion of the leg apertures define a front tab 114 that extends downwardly from a remainder of the front 110 of the torso piece 102, and includes a generally linearly extending end 116. The front 110 of the torso piece 102 extends arcuately upwardly from the generally linearly extending end 116 to define the top, front of the leg apertures.

Referring to the back 112 of the torso piece 102, the upper portion of the leg apertures define a back tab 118 that extends downwardly from a remainder of the back 112 of the torso piece 102, and includes a generally linearly extending end 120. The back 112 of the torso piece 102 extends arcuately upwardly from the generally linearly extending end 120 to define the top, back of the leg apertures.

In this example the front tab 114 is wider than the back tab 118. In other embodiments, the front tab 114 may be similarly sized or smaller than the back tab 118, depending on the shape and coverage of the bodysuit 100.

The gusset piece 104 is shaped and configured to cover a crotch area of the user. A front 130 of the gusset piece 104 includes an upper, generally linearly extending end 132. The upper, generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 is similar in width to the width of the generally linearly extending end 116 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102 to releasably connect the upper, generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 to the generally linearly extending end 116 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102.

A back 134 of the gusset piece 104 includes an upper, generally linearly extending end 136. The upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134 of the gusset piece 104 is similar in width to the width of the generally linearly extending end 120 of the back 112 of the torso piece 102 to releasably connect the upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134 of the gusset piece 104 to the generally linearly extending end 120 of the back 112 of the torso piece 102.

The gusset piece 104 extends from the upper, generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 to the upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134 of the gusset piece 104. In the present example, the gusset piece 104 narrows from the upper, generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 to the upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134 as the gusset piece 104 in the present example provides thong coverage of the back of the user.

Alternatively, the gusset piece may narrow to the lowest point of the crotch of the user and widen toward the upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134, providing more coverage or even full coverage of the buttocks of the user. Thus, the gusset piece 104 may alternatively be hour-glass shaped.

The gusset piece 104 is lined with a lining that may be, for example, sewn into seams that extend around the margin of the gusset piece 104 to provide a lining on an interior of the gusset piece 104. Alternatively, the lining may be fixed to the gusset piece 104 in only a portion of the gusset piece 104. Thus, the lining may line an entire inner side of the gusset piece 104 or may only line a portion thereof.

The upper, generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 and the generally linearly extending end 116 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102, together include a front releasable fastener system 140. The front releasable fastener system 140 includes a first portion disposed at or near the generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 and a second portion disposed at or near the generally linearly extending end 116 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102. The first portion and the second portion cooperate of the front releasable fastener system 140 together to releasably fasten the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 to the front 110 of the torso piece 102.

For example, the front releasable fastener system 140 may include a front hook and eye fastener system, with one side of the hook and eye fastener system, for example, eyes, disposed near or along the generally linearly extending end 116 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102 and the cooperating side of the hook and eye fastener system, for example, the hooks, disposed on or near the generally linearly extending end 132 of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104.

Alternatively, the front releasable fastener system may be a hook and loop, such as Velcro™ fastener system, a snap fastener system, a zipper, or any combination of fastener systems.

The upper, generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 132 of the gusset piece 104 and the generally linearly extending end 120 of the back 112 of the torso piece 102, together include a back releasable fastener system 146. The back releasable fastener system 146 includes a first portion disposed at or near the generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 132 of the gusset piece 104 and a second portion at or near the generally linearly extending end 120 of the back 112 of the torso piece 102. The first portion and the second portion of the back releasable fastener system 146 cooperate together to releasably fasten the back 132 of the gusset piece 104 to the back 112 of the torso piece 102.

For example, the back releasable fastener system 146 may include a back hook and loop fastener system, such as Velcro™, with one side of the Velcro disposed at or near the generally linearly extending end 120 of the back 112 of the torso piece 102 and the cooperating side of the Velcro disposed at or near the generally linearly extending end 136 of the back 134 of the gusset piece 104.

Alternatively, the back releasable fastener system may be a hook and eye fastener system, a snap fastener system, a zipper, or any combination of fastener systems.

The use of the front releasable fastener system 140 and the back releasable fastener system 146 facilitates removal of the gusset piece 104 from the torso piece 102. Thus, the gusset piece 104 may be unfastened from the torso piece 102 and may be washed separately or replaced by fastening a similar, second gusset piece to the torso piece 102. In addition, different sizes and shapes of torso pieces 102 may selected for use with different sizes and shapes of gusset pieces 104, facilitating, for example, selection of pieces for different body sizes or lengths.

The seams around the bodysuit, including the seams around the straps 106, which includes the neckline, as well as the seams around the leg apertures may include, for example, a flex rubber that is covered by material of the bodysuit 102.

Although the bodysuit 100 shown is a tank-top style, the bodysuit may alternatively include sleeves, for example, short sleeves, ¾ sleeves, or long sleeves. In addition, the bodysuit may include any suitable neckline, such as a V-neck. The bodysuit may also include a plunging neckline or any other suitable style.

Another example of a bodysuit is shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 . The bodysuit shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 includes many similarities to the bodysuit shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 and similar parts are not described again herein.

In the present example, the front releasable fastener system is a snap fastener system including snaps 202. The snaps 202 include posts that extend from the generally linearly extending end of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104. The posts of the snaps 202 may be sewn into, for example a strip of grosgrain fabric to reduce stretch in the area in which the posts are sewn in.

Sockets are disposed in the generally linearly extending end of the front 110 of the torso piece 102 for receiving the posts extending from the generally linearly extending end of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104. The sockets of the snaps 202 may also be sewn into, for example a strip of grosgrain fabric to reduce stretch in the area in which the sockets are sewn in. The snaps 202 may be low profile snaps.

In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the front releasable fastener system includes four snaps 202. Any other suitable number of snaps may be utilized, however. The additional fabric, such as grosgrain fabric may be utilized in any of the examples of the present disclosure, where the front releasable fastener system and the back releasable fastener system are sewn in.

The back releasable fastener system is also a snap fastener system including snaps 204. The snaps 204 include posts that extend from the generally linearly extending end of the back 132 of the gusset piece 104. The posts of the snaps 204 may also be sewn into, for example a strip of grosgrain fabric to reduce stretch in the area in which the posts are sewn in.

Sockets are disposed in the generally linearly extending end of the back 112 of the torso piece 102 for receiving the posts extending from the generally linearly extending end of the back 132 of the gusset piece 104. The sockets of the snaps 204 may also be sewn into, for example a strip of grosgrain fabric to reduce stretch in the area in which the sockets are sewn in. In the example shown in FIG. 3 , the back releasable fastener system includes two snaps 204. Any other suitable number of snaps may be utilized, however.

The gusset piece 104 is removable from the torso piece 102 by undoing the snaps of the front releasable fastener system and of the back releasable fastener system. The gusset piece 104 is attached to the torso piece 102 by engaging the posts and the sockets of the snaps 202 of the front releasable fastener system and by engaging the posts and the sockets of the snaps 204 of the back releasable fastener system.

A portion of another example of a bodysuit is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 . The bodysuit shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 includes many similarities to the bodysuits shown and described hereinabove and similar parts are not described again herein.

In the present example, the front tab 114 that extends downwardly from a remainder of the front 110 of the torso piece 102 includes a curved end 502 rather than a generally linearly extending end. The front 130 of the gusset piece 104 includes a complementary curved end for releasably attaching the complementary curved end of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 with the curved end 502 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102.

The front releasable fastener system in this example is a snap fastener system including two snaps. Any other suitable number of snaps may be utilized and any other suitable releasable fastener system may be utilized.

The back 112 of the torso piece 102, the back 132 of the gusset piece 104, and the back releasable fastener system are similar to that shown and described herein with reference to FIG. 4 and are not further described.

A portion of another example of a bodysuit is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 . The bodysuit shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 includes many similarities to the bodysuits shown and described hereinabove and similar parts are not described again herein.

In the present example, the front tab 114 that extends downwardly from a remainder of the front 110 of the torso piece 102 includes a curved end 702 rather than a generally linearly extending end. The curved end 702 curves upwardly from right to left of the user, which is opposite to that shown and described with reference to FIG. 5 . The front 130 of the gusset piece 104 includes a complementary curved end for releasably attaching the complementary curved end of the front 130 of the gusset piece 104 with the curved end 702 of the front 110 of the torso piece 102.

The front releasable fastener system in this example is a snap fastener system including two snaps. Any other suitable number of snaps may be utilized and any other suitable releasable fastener system may be utilized.

The back releasable fastener system in the present example is a Velcro™ fastener system with one part of the Velcro™ fastener system on the back 112 of the torso piece 102 and the cooperating part of the Velcro™ fastener system on the back 132 of the gusset piece 104.

FIG. 9 shows another example of a bodysuit. The bodysuit shown in FIG. 9 includes the inner lining 902 that does not extend all the way to the linearly extending end 132 of the front of the gusset piece 104. The inner lining 902 is sewn into the seams at the portions of leg openings defined by the gusset piece 104. In this example, the inner lining 902 does not extend under the portion of the front releasable fastener system that is disposed on the gusset piece 104, which in this example is a snap fastener system.

FIG. 10 shows another example of a portion of a bodysuit. The portion of the bodysuit shown in FIG. 10 includes the inner lining 1002 that extends all the way to a curved end 1004 of the front of the gusset piece 104. The inner lining 1002 is sewn into the seams at the portions of leg openings defined by the gusset piece 104. In the present example, the inner lining 1002 extends under the portion of the front releasable fastener system that is disposed on the gusset piece 104.

Advantageously, the gusset piece is fully detachable from the torso piece. This full detachability facilitates separate washing of the gusset piece from the torso piece. In addition, the gusset piece may be replaceable. A user may therefore replace the gusset piece during washing of the gusset piece or when the gusset piece is worn out. In addition, different sizes of gusset pieces may be selected from to releasably attach to a torso piece, for example, to accommodate a longer body. The releasable attachment systems are at locations chosen to reduce the chance of discomfort experienced by the user wearing the bodysuit.

The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bodysuit comprising: a torso piece configured to cover at least a portion of a torso of a user; and a gusset piece removably attachable to the torso portion and configured to cover a crotch area of the user such that the gusset piece is removable from the torso piece.
 2. The bodysuit according to claim 1, wherein the gusset piece is removably attachable to the torso portion by front releasable fastener system at a front of the torso piece and the gusset pieces and a back releasable fastener system at a back of the torso piece and gusset piece.
 3. The bodysuit according to claim 1, wherein the releasable front releasable fastener system is a different type of fastener than the back releasable fastener system.
 4. The bodysuit according to claim 1, wherein the gusset piece is lined.
 5. The bodysuit according to claim 4, wherein the gusset piece is lined along an entire inside thereof.
 6. The bodysuit according to claim 2, wherein the front releasable fastener system comprises at least one of a front hook and loop fastener, front hook and eye fasteners, front snap fasteners, or a front zipper.
 7. The bodysuit according to claim 6, wherein the back releasable fastener system comprises at least one of a back hook and loop fastener, back hook and eye fasteners, back snap fasteners, or a back zipper. 